Senate Sets Aside $38 Million For Contra Rebels

June 21, 1985|By United Press International

WASHINGTON — The Senate approved a $13.5 billion omnibus spending bill late Thursday, including $38 million for rebels fighting the Nicaraguan government and a last-minute addition of $250 million in economic aid for Jordan.

The fiscal 1985 money measure, which was approved on a voice vote, also includes economic aid to Israel and Egypt, more money to combat the flow of drugs into the country and badly needed funds for many federal departments and agencies.

The House has approved $13.4 billion in extra spending for the year, but allotted $11 million less in humanitarian aid for Nicaraguan contra rebels than the Senate, and included no money for Jordan.

The differences must be worked out by House and Senate negotiators.

Sen. Robert Kasten, R-Wis., called the economic assistance to Jordan for commodity import programs and project aid ''a signal of our willingness to share their hardship.''

But the bill said Congress will not consider military aid for Jordan until direct peace negotiations between Israel and Jordan begin.

Kasten, the amendment sponsor, praised Jordan's King Hussein for efforts to win peace in the Middle East despite Palestinian threats.

The economic assistance would be spread over three years.

The Senate voted 84 to 9 against an amendment by Sen. Dennis DeConcini, D- Ariz., that would have prevented military assistance to Jordan ''until Jordan and Israel agree to a peace treaty.''

Earlier, the Senate rejected creating a blue-ribbon commission to investigate spying in the United States by hostile countries.